NCJ Number
54711
Journal
Public Welfare Volume: 36 Issue: 4 Dated: (FALL 1978) Pages: 10-13
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
EVIDENCE IS PRESENTED TO SHOW THAT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT ARE PRIMARILY MANIFESTATIONS OF LARGER SOCIETAL FACTORS THAT AFFECT FAMILIES, AND CHILD PROTECTION IS EXAMINED WITHIN THE POLICY CONTEXT.
Abstract
ADDRESSING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REQUIRES ATTENTION TO SOCIAL POLICIES THAT INFLUENCE FAMILIES AND THE ULTIMATE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO FACILITATE A MORE BENIGN ENVIRONMENT FOR FAMILY LIFE. MOST PROTECTIVE SERVICE AGENCIES FIND THEMSELVES CONFRONTED WITH NUMEROUS PROBLEMS FOR WHICH THEY ARE POORLY EQUIPPED. AMONG THESE PROBLEMS ARE A HIGH VOLUME OF REPORTS REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ATTENTION, INCREASING PUBLIC DISSATISFACTION WITH PUBLIC PROGRAMS RESULTING FROM THE NEWS COVERAGE OF MUTILATION AND DEATHS INFLICTED UPON CHILDREN WHO WERE KNOWN TO PROTECTIVE AGENCIES, AND A RISING TIDE OF PROGRAM STAFF DISCONTENT THAT MANIFESTS ITSELF IN WORKER TURNOVER AND INCREASED RELUCTANCE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN EXCESSIVE NUMBER OF CASES. ALL STATES HAVE PASSED SOME FORM OF CHILD ABUSE REPORTING LAW, AND MANY STATES HAVE ESTABLISHED ONGOING PUBLICITY PROGRAMS, 24-HOUR HOTLINES, AND COMPUTERIZED REGISTRIES DESIGNED TO TRACK SUSPECTED ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES INVOLVING REPEATED OFFENSES. DUE TO DIFFERENCES IN REPORTING CRITERIA AMONG STATES AND LOCAL VARIATION IN DEFINING ABUSE AND NEGLECT, THERE IS CONSIDERABLE AMBIGUITY CONCERNING THE EXACT INCIDENCE OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND THE NUMBER OF REPORTED CASES. ONE STUDY ESTIMATES THAT BETWEEN 205,000 AND 282,000 CHILDREN ARE ABUSED ANNUALLY AND THAT BETWEEN 1.9 AND 2.2 MILLION CHILDREN ARE NEGLECTED. NUMEROUS CLINICAL STUDIES ASSERT THAT ABUSE AND NEGLECT ARE FOUND PRIMARILY AMONG THE NONPOOR, BUT CONCLUSIONS DERIVED FROM SURVEYS OF REPORTED INCIDENCE RATES DO NOT SUPPORT THIS ASSERTION. DESPITE THE VOLUME OF EVIDENCE ASSOCIATING ABUSE AND NEGLECT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS, MOST CHILD PROGRAMMING AND RESEARCH CONTINUE TO EMPHASIZE PSYCHODYNAMIC DEFICITS OF FAMILIES AND PROPOSE TO ALTER BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDES THROUGH THE USE OF GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL THERAPY. MORE ATTENTION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO UNDERSTANDING RELATIONSHIPS AMONG POVERTY, UNEMPLOYMENT, FAMILY STRESS, AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF MALTREATMENT. THE ULTIMATE KEY TO CHILD PROTECTION LIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL POLICIES DESIGNED TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE INCOME FOR ALL FAMILIES AND A DECENT ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL CHILDREN. (DEP)